5 DIY Recipes For Glowing Skin

Indulging in high-end brightening creams, sweet-smelling scrubs, and luxurious moisturizers is draining on your wallet and your medicine cabinet. And with sketchy, sometimes harsh ingredients lurking in your most trusty products, you could be left with a not-so-relaxing reaction. If you’re looking to transform your bathroom into a mini spa getaway for a few minutes while you brighten, smooth, and polish up your roughest spots, head to a cabinet you’ve already stocked with beauty essentials—we mean your kitchen cabinet. Many of your everyday culinary staples pack serious natural anti-aging power. Put a few together and you’ve made yourself a little DIY skin magic—with no weird chemicals, pushy sales associates, or heavy price tags in sight. Here are five of our easiest, most effective DIY beauty recipes using the ingredients we know you’ve always got on hand. Learn them, love them, and feel free to use them as a base for your own natural beauty concoction.

1. Plain Yogurt + Honey = De-Stress Face Mask

We’ve already told you how probiotics in your beauty products can give you brighter, more resilient skin. But since you are so not going out in this mess yet, try using the real thing. Combine two parts plain yogurt (Greek or regular, the fattier the better!) and one part honey in a small bowl. Spread it all over your face and sit back for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and reveal a brighter, calmer you.

2. Baking soda + Honey + Water = Face Brightening Cleanser

It sounds strange but you can essentially just wash with honey if you have very sensitive skin. Throw in a little baking soda for a scrub—which helps boost circulation but doesn’t tear off your top layer of skin—and voila! Glowing skin. Here’s how to do it: Combine one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of baking soda in your palm. Rub them together with a few drops of water and then massage gently in circular motions on your face. Let sit for a minute then rinse thoroughly with warm water. (Check out our 10 ways to boost your beauty with baking soda for more ideas.)

3. Pure Pumpkin + Honey + Milk = Glowy Pumpkin Facial

Instead of letting your painted pumpkins rot, make some pumpkin puree! Simply cut away several pieces of healthy flesh (no seeds or slimy stuff!), boil it, then hit it with the food processor or immersion blender for a smooth, plain pumpkin puree. Then, use it in this transformative pumpkin facial: Mix two teaspoons pumpkin puree, 1/2 teaspoon honey, and 1/2 teaspoon milk into a paste and apply it to a clean face. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water. The result: glowing smooth skin.

4. Eggs + Olive Oil = Moisturizing Hair Treatment

Gross? Maybe in theory, but this easy at-home hair repair treatment works like a charm. Mix two eggs and one-third cup of olive oil into a bowl. Apply to your hair and scalp and massage it for a few minutes. Cover with a plastic cap or old towel and after 15 to 20 minutes, rinse and condition. The olive oil is one of the strongest emollients you can find, making sure the fatty acids from the oil and the protein in the eggs penetrate your strands for stronger, shinier hair in just 15 minutes. If you prefer the smell of coconut oil, you can use that, instead. (For more recipes like this, see our 10 amazing beauty tricks with coconut oil.)

5. Brown Sugar + Milk + Vanilla = Cheapest All-Over Scrub Ever!

Brown sugar is the ultimate base for a good scrub and we could easily spout off dozens of effective combinations, but this basic recipe is all you need to polish your whole body back to its smooth self. Just combine two parts milk with one part brown sugar and a few drops of pure vanilla extract (if you have it—if not, omit) in a bowl. In your shower or tub, gently scrub in tiny circles from head to toe. Rinse and bathe normally. For an extra boost of moisture and good-for-you nutrients, add an egg yolk.